Day 288 - Russian carving

Finally, after almost 2 years, my birthday present has arrived. The picture shows a Russian-style carved archway in my entrance hall. It was designed and carved by Sergei who studied Russian church carving in Russia. His wife, Olya, did her part with the painting. A talented couple, don't you think. Sergei was one of the carvers of our church's icon screen (iconostasis). A massive job.

I'm going to take more pictures tomorrow in daylight since the background colours are not as bright as they appear here because of the flash.

I'm so excited!

Day 286 - Fairy tale

This is a Palech box which someone brought back for me from Russia. There is some similarity between the Palech technique and traditional icon painting using egg-tempera. When we were robbed a few years ago, this box was tossed across the room and the hinge was broken. Still, the picture on the lid is intact.

Day 80 - Design for archway

Today my husband and I were able to see the drawing on what will eventually be a carved archway in the Russian style. Not sure which period, but I suppose it's a folk design. I can't wait for this; it was supposed to be my birthday present a year ago.

Day 76 - Cooking borscht

Today is my one day off in the week. I decided to make borscht which is a traditional Russian soup. Many people make it with meat but I make it without - the way my mother makes it which, according to her, is the Ukrainian way.
You chop up and fry up an onion, 2 beetroots, a carrot, 2 sticks celery, a parsnip (yuk), a green pepper (or red) and garlic. Don't overfry. Then you add a tin of chopped tomatoes, some tomato sauce, bayleaves, parsley and dill, season. I add soup cubes. Slow boil about 30-45 minutes or until the beetroot starts to face. Add half or quarter of a cabbage (finely cut up) and cook about 15 minutes more. We also add a tin of baked beans. That's instead of the potato that most people add.
You could easily improvise. I also like it without cabbage and double the beetroot. It's great with fresh dill and sour cream to serve.

Day 18 - My samovar is tarnished

My poor samovar. It needs Silvo. By the way, 'samovar' is a composite word: 'samo' meaning by itself; and 'var' from 'varit' ' meaning to cook (or boil, in this case). A friend gave this to me when Melbourne University was getting rid of 'stuff'. Here ends the lesson.